What's a good casserole or other dish to make for friends that just had a baby?

I am a fan of making lasagna. After it is made I pop it in the freezer. They can put it in the oven and bake it. You wouldn’t even have to freeze it hard. That way it could stay on their doorstep and not go bad. My dad has a bakery,so I will usually throw in a loaf of french bread. You can do all kinds of lasagna….veggie kind…..Italian sausage…ground beef…chicken….to suit their tastes. Also if you freeze it, if they already have dinner planned for that night, they can have it another night.

I wouldn’t eat any food that had been left on my doorstep, even if it was from my mother! I mean no offense, but it isn’t a good idea.

I have to go with bulbatron on this one.

And I doubt they will mind if you make it a quick visit. Knock on the door and say hello. Give them what you made and leave. And my sister has made a few babies and she was always happy to show them off. Your visit might be welcome.

If the food was only out a couple of hours and was frozen, it would be fine. She could also call that morning or the night before and say she was dropping something off at the door at whatever time. That way she would not be disturbing either the mother’s rest or the babies.

People did that for me when I had my daughter, and my husband and I appreciated it so much. We did not have to worry about supper.

@mzgator

I come from a somewhat urban area and would never eat anything that was sitting on my doorstep. Maybe if I lived in a rural area and it didn’t look like anything got into it. So I guess it depends on where the original poster lives. It isn’t really about it being cold. I would worry about someone urinating on it.

@johnpowell

I live in South Louisiana, and people do it all the time here. I forgot to say that we would also put it in a disposable ice chest. I understand where you are coming from….I guess I never thought about it in that way.

We also don’t usually go and visit the baby for a couple of weeks, because we don’t want to disturb the family. Sleep is a high priority when you have a new baby. If the baby takes a nap, the mom usually will too. Usually only immediate family will go and actually visit the baby. Friends usually drop off things.

@christy; could you phone at an hour when everyone will be awake (say, 3:00 AM) and ask what they would like you to do – perhaps leave the casserole in a vestibule? Lovely thought, IAC.

@ gailcalled: 3am??
I agree about location but I think that spaghetti is a great dish to leave with a short note and of course in an icechest.

I’m in Eastern Kentucky, and my friends live in a small town. I don’t have to worry about food sabotage here…except maybe from animals! But the ice chest is a great idea…I was a bit worried about the logistics of this, so thanks for your input. I think my friends probably would prefer to not have any visitors yet, so I think the note + ice chest may be best.

Any other recipe suggestions?

@christybird

I can’t suggest a recipe. But I can suggest adding the recipe you use to the note. You never know, they could have a food allergy. They should know exactly what is in it.

@ladymerle: that is a joke for those who have spent the first week with a newborn.

I like the idea of a veggie lasagne- use mushrooms and thinly sliced horizontal pieces of zuccini.

From experience. CALL her up first and offer to make dinner. If she says yes then ask her if she is in the mood for anything specific. If she tells you anything is fine. Make sure you find out what she dislikes. **MOST IMPORTANT** Find out what her husband (other kids) like and dislike. Can’t have a hungry man around!

I wouldn’t leave it on the door step. That’s just an easy way of getting out of talking/seeing people. If you are a good friend to her I don’t think she would mind spending a little time with you.

@christy, you’ve mentioned believing they really wouldn’t want visitors. Just wondering if she had a troublesome labor and/or complications (herself or baby)...if so, you’re probably right. The chest would be a good route to take, if you’re certain they aren’t ready for people stopping in yet.

RECIPE SUGGESTION: I have a killer (super super easy) recipe for chicken enchiladas that has never met a turned-up nose, and cooks up nicely in a big 13×9 baking dish. It’s veggilicious, cheesy, and just about everyone (unless vegetarian) eats chicken. Freezes nicely and reheats in perfect condition. Let me know if you’re interested!

Probably any recipe that you find good, they will, too. If it’s common practice to leave it on the doorstep, do so, but I think it would be far more personal if you did ring the doorbell, make it clear you’d love to visit, but at another time, thereby relieving them of the responsibility of inviting you in at all or not. Tell them when you’ve made it, so that they have the option of knowing whether or not they should freeze or refrigerate. As an added gesture, put it in a sack and place it in the middle of a package of diapers, whatever they’re using cloth or disposable, as an additional, thoughtful surprise.

@Deezer, good call on just telling them you can’t stay. That would be appropriate.

You can make quick and yummy rotereserrie chix parm..we made this for a friend who just had a baby. They loved it.

Layer from bottom to top,

your favorite marinara sauce and put chopped fresh basil,
store bought rotereserrie chix..layer it with pieces (make sure no bones, dont need the skin),
big slices of mozz cheese
marinara sauce and add fresh chopped basil
shredded cheese on top

cook in 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, lastly broil til cheese turn brown.

We also gave them eggplant parm (both casseroles were frozen so they could put in the freezer) Let me know if you’d like the eggplant parm recipe.

whatver you make, you should be sure to make it really nutritious, because if she’s still breastfeeding (i assume she is if the baby is a newborn) the baby is getting everything she’s eating.

Another good choice is Minnestrone with real veggies and whole-wheat pasta.